Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome to our discussion today from John Chapter 12.

Jesus and his disciples come to Bethany to dine with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Mary anoints his feet with costly perfume.

Judas Iskariot grumbles about this because he is a thief and hopes to plunder money from the sale of the perfume.

A large crowd gathers to see Jesus and the resurrected Lazarus. This infuriates the Jewish leaders

who plan to kill Lazarus. Jesus then enters Jerusalem and his followers worship him as king.

Many come to Jesus, including Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the

Passover feast. Jesus teaches them that personal sacrifice is needed to be in his kingdom. The people

then hear God from heaven, proclaim Jesus and his glory. Some follow him, while others who believe

are silenced by their fear of the Jews.

The approval of men and fear of others are serious tests of faith.

To believe in Jesus is to follow his teachings, leaving darkness for light no matter what anyone thinks.

The world in so many ways tries to weaken and silence believers.

Judas was weakened by greed, and he betrayed the Lord. The Pharisees were blinded by jealousy and

selfishness. Though God from heaven pronounced Jesus as worthy, others feared the actions of men

and would not confess him as king. In all of this,

there are servants like Mary, who poured her expensive oil on Jesus' feet with no concern for

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